Post Surgery Massage in South Austin

Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Put Your Body in Skilled Hands

What does Lymphatic massage do?

Reduces swelling and inflammation
Reduces bruising
Reduces pain by reducing inflammation
May help encourage healing and outcome of surgery
Another set of experienced eyes on your recovery

What's a Lymphatic session like?

We do not drain any fluid outside the body
We do not re-open incisions

We do not use vigorous massage before 4 weeks post-op

Expect a gentle, very light massage (compared to a deep tissue). We'll position you with a reclined table, pillows and/or bolsters to ensure comfort post-surgery. The session usually starts with gently clearing lymph nodes and then will work out along surrounding lymphatic pathways. Most clients get very relaxed and often fall asleep.

Our techniques: We use Vodder and Casey-Smith style lymphatic massage. Vodder is very light and feels like a weird petting (strange but IT WORKS!) while Casey-Smith uses lotion and is a slow, consistent stroke towards lymph nodes. Casey-Smith is more similar to what you may have seen on Insta or TikTok for lymphatic massage. Casey-Smith is great for areas where lymph vessels (the tubes lymph travels thru has been compromised by fat or skin removal); while Vodder is the basis of all lymphatic work and great for working lymph nodes and intact lymph vessels. We combine both! Allowing you to get the knowledge that comes with a Vodder certification and experience that has taught us that other techniques can be more helpful for our clients.

First 4 weeks post-op: Right after surgery, we use gentle MLD styles with care for any incisions and sensitive areas. We may use gentle glass cupping to help with any stubborn areas - they are used to gently lift the skin for less than 2 seconds at a time. This helps us to feel and move swelling quickly!

4-8 weeks: Sessions may include cupping, gua sha, wood tools, vibration therapy, hot stones, hot towels, red light therapy, and variety of massage techniques. Depending on the client's goals, our focus may be reducing swelling, contouring, softening fibrosis, or reducing scar tissue. Each session is customized at time of service. For in depth scar tissue work related to joint replacements we recommend you stick with your Physical Therapist - we are not trained to increase Range of Motion or give corrective exercises.

Sessions include tips on self-massage and compression garments for continuing progress outside our sessions.

Why choose Evolved for your care?

Extensive training in MLD and Post-Op MLD
All our therapist are Certified in Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage
Our owner has completed over 100+ hours of advanced Post-Op specific trainings with well-known instructors across the US. She's personally trained all of our therapists in the best practices to ensure all clients receive a similar quality of care and expertise.

Sessions are more than just massage
Post-op sessions can include Vodder MLD, Casey-Smith or Brazilian-esque Lymphatic Drainage, cupping (glass and silicone), scar tissue massage, low-grade therapeutic ultrasound, vibration therapy, and other forms of massage for muscle tension or tissue release.

Have another set of experienced eyes on you during healing
Clients often go weeks between follow ups with their surgeon. Or maybe their surgeon is in another state or country, and follow-ups are virtual. MLD from an experienced Post-op therapist often calms anxiety on what is normal in healing. It also gives you a heads-up if something is a concern and needs to be addressed.

Focus on client comfort
Post-op clients have limitations on how they can lay. We use uses adjustable tables, stools, chairs, wedge pillows, and bolsters to make sure clients feel secure and can be as comfortable as possible. Positions may include standing, laying on a side, on the back or front, laying reclined, or sitting in a chair.

Self-Massage, Home Care + Compression Garments
During a session, we may demo how to do MLD on yourself at home, as well as other tricks to encourage lymphatic flow. Compression garments make a huge difference in healing for many types of surgeries. We can provide feedback on fit, foam padding inserts, and other questions.

You are unique and deserve personalized care
Give us a call to discuss concerns in detail and ensure timing is correct for your unique surgery. Each session starts with reviewing your concerns and outlining how the session will proceed. A session will end with our therapists describing what they've noticed, how you can change home care to improve any issues, and a recommendation the timing of another session, if needed. We can send a plan of care and session information to a client's surgeon (requires in office release).

Call or Text Us

What's Lymphatic Massage?

Developed in the 1930s, the Vodder method of Lymphatic massage, which is also called Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD), has had numerous medical studies that prove it helps increase the lymphatic flow in the body. The lymphatic system is basically the sewerage system for the body, removing waste materials and also producing cells which can combat infections.

When the lymphatic system is damaged or under stress, it flows much slower, causing swelling and inflammation. Surgery can disrupt the normal pathways for lymphatic fluid. MLD can stimulate the lymphatic system and direct built up fluid (swelling) in the correct direction.

Types of surgeries we work with and how soon to schedule

Follow your surgeon's recommendation! The below timelines are based on general recommendations from surgeons from our experience.

Pre Surgery Sessions

We recommend 1-2 sessions, at 9 days and 3 days, before surgery to clear the body for surgery and recovery.

Cosmetic Surgery

Liposuction (as soon as 24 hours)

Breast Augmentation (48 hours)

Face and Neck Lift (48 hours)

Chin or Nose Surgery (48 hours)

Skin Removal (3 days)

Body Lift (3 days)

Tummy Tuck with or without muscle repair (3 days)

BBL w/ Liposuction (3 days)

BBL w/ Tummy Tuck or Breast Augmentation (5 days)

Medical Surgery

Joint Replacement (48 hours)

Tendon, Ligament, and Muscle Repair (48 hours)

Spinal Surgeries (7 days)

Accident Recovery (48 hours)

Any surgery where swelling is causing an issue and cleared to receive Lymphatic massage by your doctor

Oral Surgeries

Wisdom Tooth Removal (24 hours)

Extractions (24 hours)

Jaw Surgery (24 hours)

Other Types of Surgeries/Changes

C-section (3 days)

Childbirth (3 days)

Hysterectomy (3 days)

Gender-Affirming Top and Bottom (3 days)

Biopsies (24-48 hours)

Email or call if you aren't sure about your unique situation

Consider how comfortable it'll be to get dressed, ride in a car, and get onto a massage table, when booking your session close to surgery. Often pain medications and complexity of surgery can cause people to become faint. Do not come in if you are still heavily medicated or having a hard time with the first week of surgery. We are happy to refer you to in-home (mobile) MLD providers!! Just text us, 512-387-7037

“My lymphatic massage with Amber was great! She’s a wealth of information and I really appreciate having someone with her unique skill set in my neighborhood. I will definitely be back!”

- C.O. Google Review

How many sessions do I need?

If time and money were no matter, we’d recommend:

2-3 times a week for the first 4 weeks

1-2 times a week for another 4 weeks.

However, that isn’t always possible!

Our recommendation is plan for at least 3-5 sessions post-op. At the initial session, we’ll discuss what we see, feel, and educate you on when to schedule the next session. For younger clients with simple surgeries, that may be once a week. For older clients with stronger inflammatory responses, that may be 2-3 times a week.

Single Session Pricing

$130 for 60-minute session

Series Pricing

(3) 60-minute sessions for $375 (save $15)

(5) 60-minute sessions for $600 (save $50)

(10) 60-minute sessions for 1,200 (save $100)

Payments

We accept all major credit and debit cards, HSA and FSA cards. Check with your HSA/FSA provider, some require a doctor's recommendation for massage to be covered.